Gandhi Hill Foundation members interacting with NTR district Collector Lakshmisha atop the hill in Vijayawada recently.
| Photo Credit: File Photo

After years of neglect, Gandhi Hill, one of Vijayawada’s most iconic landmarks, is set for a major revival with the Andhra Pradesh government clearing the decks for a comprehensive renovation project that aims to restore the historic site to its former glory.

Atop the Gandhi Hill stands a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, the first monument built in memory of the Father of the Nation after his assassination in 1948. A stone’s throw from the Vijayawada Railway Station on the Tarapet side, this site has long served as a symbol of peace and national pride, attracting both tourists and locals alike.

However, in the recent years, the monument and its surrounding infrastructure have fallen into disrepair.

“Good days are ahead for Gandhi Hill, which deserves a pride of place. We are developing a comprehensive plan to groom the place into an iconic international tourist destination,” chairman of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Andhra Pradesh, Gandhi P.C. Kaza, told The Hindu on Saturday.

The Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, constituted in 2017 after bifurcation of the State, nominated a new committee for the Gandhi Hill Foundation (GHF), which convened its meeting on the Gandhi Hill on May 8.

NTR district Collector G. Lakshmisha and Commissioner of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) H. M. Dhyanachandra also attended as ex officio members, to review the current status of the site.

The committee met under the chairmanship of Mr. Gandhi, along with the GHF secretary Y. Ramachandra Rao and 11 other nominated members, including Jandhyala Sankar, Raavi Sarada, I. Prasada Raju, Rashmi Samaram and G.V. Mohan Prasad. The members decided to take up development of this important place in a phased manner.

“In phase-I (2025-2027), our top priority will be to improve the basic amenities and beautification of the main arch at the entry point,” said Mr. Gandhi, adding that the plan included sprucing up the perimeter with greenery and landscaping, re-topping of the approach road from the entry point up to the stupa, renovation of the children’s play area and the surrounding areas atop the hill.

The GHF plans to transform the planetarium into a major attraction by using German technology by October 2, 2025 (Gandhi Jayanthi). “Restructuring and electrification of the mini toy train will also be taken up, as it is a major attraction for children,” he said.

Mr. Gandhi said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed with the VMC and other local bodies and industry units to launch collaborative efforts to beautify the place.

“The Chief Minister will be the chief patron of GHF as per the society bye-laws and his guidance, and advice will be taken for the overall development of Gandhi Hill,” said Mr. Gandhi.

The Gandhi Hill got its name after the Mahatma’s visit in 1921 to address a gathering at the foot of the hill, during the freedom struggle. From here, Bapu was said to have given a clarion call to people to embrace Swadeshi, eradicate untouchability and donate for Swaraj Koti Nidhi (of ₹1 by each person towards Swaraj Fund), which evoked enormous response and people contributed liberally.

As the place acquired importance, a memorial project was developed. A foundation stone for the Gandhi memorial planned by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, was laid here by the then Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, on November 9, 1964, and a 52-ft. memorial stupa was unveiled by Dr. Zakir Hussain on October 6, 1968.